Public Input Sought on City of Fresno Residential Solid Waste Franchise Proposal

06/28/2012FRESNO, CA – The City of Fresno is seeking public input on a proposal to evaluate the creation of a residential solid waste franchise fee through a survey on the City’s website at www.fresno.gov/solidwaste. The proposal is contained in Mayor Ashley Swearengin’s proposed budget revision to address an overall Fiscal Year 2013 shortfall of $16 million.

Mayor Swearengin said the City will evaluate a change in the delivery of residential solid waste services to determine whether private companies can deliver the same or better service than the City currently operates for the same or better prices.

“Given the ongoing economic challenges in Fresno and across the state and nation, it is important that we deliver services in the most effective manner possible, particularly when a service could be provided by the private sector,” Mayor Swearengin said. “Revenue from a franchise agreement for the residential solid waste operations could provide critical funding for City services such as police officers, firefighters, parks maintenance and operation, and streetlight repairs while keeping the residential solid waste rates at or below the City’s current rates.”

The City projects that creating a residential solid waste franchise fee could result in $1 million in revenue in Fiscal Year 2013, beginning in March 2013. Annual revenue projections could exceed $2.5 million.

Mayor Swearengin said a final decision on whether to create a residential solid waste franchise will not be made for several months. To help the City with its evaluation, the web-based survey was developed to collect residents’ highest priorities as the City considers the issue and the services and programs that are offered to residential customers.